Idhayam Oru Kovil (Male Version)
From Idhaya Kovil · 1985
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Idhaya Kovil1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa… | Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa… |
| Aa…aa…aa…aa… | Aa…aa…aa…aa… |
| Aa…aa…aa…aa… | Aa…aa…aa…aa… |
| Male | |
| Idhayam oru koyil adhil | The heart is a temple, and in it |
| Udhayam oru paadal | A song rises like the dawn |
| Idhayam oru koyil adhil | The heart is a temple, and in it |
| Udhayam oru paadal | A song rises like the dawn |
| Male | |
| Idhil vaazhum devi nee | You are the goddess residing within it |
| Isaiyai malaraai | With music as a flower |
| Naalum soottuven | I shall adorn you every day |
| Isaiyai malaraai | With music as a flower |
| Naalum soottuven | I shall adorn you every day |
| Male | |
| Idhayam oru koyil adhil | The heart is a temple, and in it |
| Udhayam oru paadal | A song rises like the dawn |
| Male | |
| Lalalala laa lala lala lalalala laa | Lalalala laa lala lala lalalala laa |
| Lalalala laa lala lala lala laa | Lalalala laa lala lala lala laa |
| Lalala lalala lalala lalala | Lalala lalala lalala lalala |
| Lalala lalala lalala lalala | Lalala lalala lalala lalala |
| Male | |
| Aathma raagam | In the singular melody of the soul |
| Ondril dhaan | Only there do living beings dance forever |
| Aadum uyirgal endrumae | Living beings dance forever |
| Uyirin jeeva naadithaan | The vital pulse of life itself |
| Naadham thaalam aanadhae | Has transformed into melody and rhythm |
| Male | |
| Uyiril kalandhu paadum podhu | When singing intertwined with life |
| Yedhuvum paadalae | Everything naturally becomes a song |
| Paadalgal oru kodi | Ten million songs exist |
| Yedhuvum pudhidhillai | Nothing among them is truly new |
| Raagangal kodi kodi | Millions and millions of ragas exist |
| Yedhuvum pudhidhillai | Nothing among them is truly new |
| Yenadhu jeevan nee dhaan | Yet you are my very life force |
| Yendrum pudhidhu | Forever fresh and original |
| Male | |
| Idhayam oru koyil adhil | The heart is a temple, and in it |
| Udhayam oru paadal | A song rises like the dawn |
| Idhil vaazhum devi nee | You are the goddess residing within it |
| Isaiyai malaraai | With music as a flower |
| Naalum soottuven | I shall adorn you every day |
| Male | |
| Idhayam oru koyil adhil | The heart is a temple, and in it |
| Udhayam oru paadal | A song rises like the dawn |
| Male | |
| Laalaalaa laala laalaa… | Laalaalaa laala laalaa… |
| Laalaalaa laala laalaa… | Laalaalaa laala laalaa… |
| Laa laa lala laalaalaa… | Laa laa lala laalaalaa… |
| Lalalaa lala lalalaa… | Lalalaa lala lalalaa… |
| Male | |
| Kaamam thedum ulagilae | In a world searching for physical desire |
| Geedham yennum dheebathaal | Through the lamp called music |
| Raama naamam meedhilae | Singing the holy name of Lord Rama |
| Naadha thiyaaga raajarum | Saint Thyagaraja himself |
| Male | |
| Oonai urukki uyiril vilakkai | Melted his flesh and in his soul |
| Yetrinaarammaa | Lit the divine lamp of devotion |
| Avar paadalil jeevan | Life vibrated in his song |
| Adhuvae avaraanaar | And that life became his essence |
| Male | |
| Yen paadalil jeevan | Whatever life exists in my song |
| Yedhuvo adhu neeyae | That very essence is you |
| Neeyum naanum ondru dhaan | You and I are truly one |
| Engae pirivadhu | How can we ever be separated? |
| Male | |
| Idhayam oru koyil adhil | The heart is a temple, and in it |
| Udhayam oru paadal | A song rises like the dawn |
| Male | |
| Neeyum naanum povadhu | We both journey together |
| Kaadhal yennum paadhaiyil | Along the pathway called love |
| Serum neram vandhadhu | The moment to unite has arrived |
| Meedhi thooram paadhiyil | Midway through the remaining distance |
| Male | |
| Paadhai ondru aana podhum | Even when the path was once shared |
| Dhisaigal verammaa | The directions have diverged |
| Unadhu paadhai veru | Your path is different now |
| Enadhu paadhai verammaa | My path is entirely different |
| Male | |
| Meeraavin kannan | Meera's Krishna belongs |
| Meeraavidamae | Only to Meera |
| Yenadhaaruyir jeevan | My precious soul and life force |
| Ennai aandaalae | Has ruled over me completely |
| Vaazhga yendrum valamudan | May you live forever with prosperity |
| Yendrum vaazhgavae | May you live long and prosper forever |
| Male | |
| Idhayam oru koyil adhil | The heart is a temple, and in it |
| Udhayam oru paadal | A song rises like the dawn |
| Idhil vaazhum devi nee | You are the goddess residing within it |
| Isaiyai malaraai | With music as a flower |
| Naalum soottuven | I shall adorn you every day |
ஆ ஆ ஆ ஆ
ஆ ஆ ஆ ஆ ஆ ஆ
ஆ ஆ ஆ
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…
இதயம் ஒரு கோயில்
அதில் உதயம் ஒரு பாடல்
இதயம் ஒரு கோயில்
அதில் உதயம் ஒரு பாடல்
The heart is a temple, and in it
A song rises like the dawn
The heart is a temple, and in it
A song rises like the dawn
இதில் வாழும் தேவி
நீ இசையை மலராய் நாளும்
சூட்டுவேன் இசையை மலராய்
நாளும் சூட்டுவேன்
You are the goddess residing within it
With music as a flower
I shall adorn you every day
With music as a flower
I shall adorn you every day
இதயம் ஒரு கோயில்
அதில் உதயம் ஒரு பாடல்
The heart is a temple, and in it
A song rises like the dawn
...............................
Lalalala laa lala lala lalalala laa
Lalalala laa lala lala lala laa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
ஆத்ம ராகம் ஒன்றில்
தான் ஆடும் உயிர்கள் என்றுமே
உயிரின் ஜீவ நாடிதான் நாதம்
தாளம் ஆனதே
In the singular melody of the soul
Only there do living beings dance forever
Living beings dance forever
The vital pulse of life itself
Has transformed into melody and rhythm
உயிரில் கலந்து பாடும்
போது எதுவும் பாடலே
பாடல்கள் ஒரு கோடி
எதுவும் புதிதில்லை
ராகங்கள் கோடி கோடி
எதுவும் புதிதில்லை
எனது ஜீவன் நீ தான்
என்றும் புதிது
When singing intertwined with life
Everything naturally becomes a song
Ten million songs exist
Nothing among them is truly new
Millions and millions of ragas exist
Nothing among them is truly new
Yet you are my very life force
Forever fresh and original
இதயம் ஒரு கோயில்
அதில் உதயம் ஒரு பாடல்
இதில் வாழும் தேவி நீ
இசையை மலராய் நாளும்
சூட்டுவேன்
The heart is a temple, and in it
A song rises like the dawn
You are the goddess residing within it
With music as a flower
I shall adorn you every day
இதயம் ஒரு கோயில்
அதில் உதயம் ஒரு பாடல்
The heart is a temple, and in it
A song rises like the dawn
...............................
Laalaalaa laala laalaa…
Laalaalaa laala laalaa…
Laa laa lala laalaalaa…
Lalalaa lala lalalaa…
காமம் தேடும் உலகிலே
கீதம் என்னும் தீபத்தால் ராம
நாமம் மீதிலே நாத தியாக
ராஜரும்
In a world searching for physical desire
Through the lamp called music
Singing the holy name of Lord Rama
Saint Thyagaraja himself
ஊனை உருக்கி
உயிரில் விளக்கை
ஏற்றினாரம்மா அவர்
பாடலில் ஜீவன் அதுவே
அவரானார்
Melted his flesh and in his soul
Lit the divine lamp of devotion
Life vibrated in his song
And that life became his essence
என் பாடலில் ஜீவன்
எதுவோ அது நீயே நீயும்
நானும் ஒன்று தான் எங்கே
பிரிவது
Whatever life exists in my song
That very essence is you
You and I are truly one
How can we ever be separated?
இதயம் ஒரு கோயில்
அதில் உதயம் ஒரு பாடல்
The heart is a temple, and in it
A song rises like the dawn
நீயும் நானும் போவது
காதல் என்னும் பாதையில்
சேரும் நேரம் வந்தது மீதி
தூரம் பாதியில்
We both journey together
Along the pathway called love
The moment to unite has arrived
Midway through the remaining distance
பாதை ஒன்று ஆன
போதும் திசைகள் வேறம்மா
உனது பாதை வேறு எனது
பாதை வேறம்மா
Even when the path was once shared
The directions have diverged
Your path is different now
My path is entirely different
மீராவின் கண்ணன்
மீராவிடமே எனதாருயிர்
ஜீவன் என்னை ஆண்டாளே
வாழ்க என்றும் வளமுடன்
என்றும் வாழ்கவே
Meera's Krishna belongs
Only to Meera
My precious soul and life force
Has ruled over me completely
May you live forever with prosperity
May you live long and prosper forever
இதயம் ஒரு கோயில்
அதில் உதயம் ஒரு பாடல்
இதில் வாழும் தேவி நீ
இசையை மலராய் நாளும்
சூட்டுவேன்
The heart is a temple, and in it
A song rises like the dawn
You are the goddess residing within it
With music as a flower
I shall adorn you every day
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…
Idhayam oru koyil adhil
The heart is a temple, and in it
Udhayam oru paadal
A song rises like the dawn
Idhayam oru koyil adhil
The heart is a temple, and in it
Udhayam oru paadal
A song rises like the dawn
Idhil vaazhum devi nee
You are the goddess residing within it
Isaiyai malaraai
With music as a flower
Naalum soottuven
I shall adorn you every day
Isaiyai malaraai
With music as a flower
Naalum soottuven
I shall adorn you every day
Idhayam oru koyil adhil
The heart is a temple, and in it
Udhayam oru paadal
A song rises like the dawn
Lalalala laa lala lala lalalala laa
Lalalala laa lala lala lalalala laa
Lalalala laa lala lala lala laa
Lalalala laa lala lala lala laa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Lalala lalala lalala lalala
Aathma raagam
In the singular melody of the soul
Ondril dhaan
Only there do living beings dance forever
Aadum uyirgal endrumae
Living beings dance forever
Uyirin jeeva naadithaan
The vital pulse of life itself
Naadham thaalam aanadhae
Has transformed into melody and rhythm
Uyiril kalandhu paadum podhu
When singing intertwined with life
Yedhuvum paadalae
Everything naturally becomes a song
Paadalgal oru kodi
Ten million songs exist
Yedhuvum pudhidhillai
Nothing among them is truly new
Raagangal kodi kodi
Millions and millions of ragas exist
Yedhuvum pudhidhillai
Nothing among them is truly new
Yenadhu jeevan nee dhaan
Yet you are my very life force
Yendrum pudhidhu
Forever fresh and original
Idhayam oru koyil adhil
The heart is a temple, and in it
Udhayam oru paadal
A song rises like the dawn
Idhil vaazhum devi nee
You are the goddess residing within it
Isaiyai malaraai
With music as a flower
Naalum soottuven
I shall adorn you every day
Idhayam oru koyil adhil
The heart is a temple, and in it
Udhayam oru paadal
A song rises like the dawn
Laalaalaa laala laalaa…
Laalaalaa laala laalaa…
Laalaalaa laala laalaa…
Laalaalaa laala laalaa…
Laa laa lala laalaalaa…
Laa laa lala laalaalaa…
Lalalaa lala lalalaa…
Lalalaa lala lalalaa…
Kaamam thedum ulagilae
In a world searching for physical desire
Geedham yennum dheebathaal
Through the lamp called music
Raama naamam meedhilae
Singing the holy name of Lord Rama
Naadha thiyaaga raajarum
Saint Thyagaraja himself
Oonai urukki uyiril vilakkai
Melted his flesh and in his soul
Yetrinaarammaa
Lit the divine lamp of devotion
Avar paadalil jeevan
Life vibrated in his song
Adhuvae avaraanaar
And that life became his essence
Yen paadalil jeevan
Whatever life exists in my song
Yedhuvo adhu neeyae
That very essence is you
Neeyum naanum ondru dhaan
You and I are truly one
Engae pirivadhu
How can we ever be separated?
Idhayam oru koyil adhil
The heart is a temple, and in it
Udhayam oru paadal
A song rises like the dawn
Neeyum naanum povadhu
We both journey together
Kaadhal yennum paadhaiyil
Along the pathway called love
Serum neram vandhadhu
The moment to unite has arrived
Meedhi thooram paadhiyil
Midway through the remaining distance
Paadhai ondru aana podhum
Even when the path was once shared
Dhisaigal verammaa
The directions have diverged
Unadhu paadhai veru
Your path is different now
Enadhu paadhai verammaa
My path is entirely different
Meeraavin kannan
Meera's Krishna belongs
Meeraavidamae
Only to Meera
Yenadhaaruyir jeevan
My precious soul and life force
Ennai aandaalae
Has ruled over me completely
Vaazhga yendrum valamudan
May you live forever with prosperity
Yendrum vaazhgavae
May you live long and prosper forever
Idhayam oru koyil adhil
The heart is a temple, and in it
Udhayam oru paadal
A song rises like the dawn
Idhil vaazhum devi nee
You are the goddess residing within it
Isaiyai malaraai
With music as a flower
Naalum soottuven
I shall adorn you every day
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Idhayam Oru Koyil from the 1985 film Idhaya Kovil is a iconic Tamil song that equates the human heart to a sacred shrine where love and music reside as deities. The protagonist views his beloved as the goddess dwelling in his heart and offers music as daily floral worship. The lyrics weave deep philosophical thoughts on music, stating that while countless songs and ragas exist, true love remains eternally fresh and original.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Idhayam oru koyil adhil”
Compares the heart directly to a temple ('Idhayam oru koyil') and music to a flower ('Isaiyai malaraai').
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Paadalgal oru kodi / Raagangal kodi kodi”
The second consonant sound 'da' matches across 'Paadalgal' and 'Raagangal'.
Allusion (Aalumaai)
“Raama naamam meedhilae / Naadha thiyaaga raajarum”
Refers to the historical saint-composer Thyagaraja and his devotion to Lord Rama using music as a spiritual medium.
Did you know?
Trivia
Idhaya Kovil (1985) was directed by Mani Ratnam, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song features two iconic vocal versions in the movie: one sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and another rendered by Ilaiyaraaja himself.
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